Periodontal status and treatment needs in a rural area of Ukonga, Tanzania.

The study reported here assessed the periodontal status in Ukonga using the CPITN index in the oral health survey data collected in 1988, and subsequently estimated the treatment needs in relation to Tanzanian circumstances. The resultant calculations showed that the estimated need was far greater than the dental services could supply. The authors therefore question whether or not all persons with a positive CPITN score do need treatment and speculate that there may be a more realistic approach using other models.